BOSTON – Dustin Pedroia will remain in Boston for the foreseeable future, but there’s still some uncertainty surrounding one of the team’s other stars.
Jacoby Ellsbury, who has turned his year around following a slow start, is slated to become a free agent after this season. And while there’s certainly a possibility that Ellsbury will follow in Pedroia’s footsteps and sign a contract extension with the Red Sox, owner John Henry recognizes that getting a deal done with the All-Star center fielder won’t be easy.
“[Ellsbury’s agent] Scott [Boras] has a track record of taking his players to free agency so I’m not confident. It would be great if we could,” Henry said Wednesday.
Ellsbury enters Wednesday’s game hitting .304 with four home runs, 34 RBIs and a major league-leading 37 stolen bases. It’s a drastic turnaround from his early-season struggles, and his value as it pertains to the open market continues to rise with each successful performance. It’s not unreasonable to think that the 29-year-old will be in for a big payday when he inks his next contract — whenever and wherever that may be.
Ellsbury burst onto the scene in 2007 and helped the Red Sox win a World Series. He has enjoyed a rollercoaster career to this point, but his skills are undeniable.
Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.
